Groupe PSA has reaffirmed its UK electrification strategy to a wide range of key stakeholders across the automotive EV spectrum. Speaking at the Automotive EV Conference held in Coventry on 8 October, UK Head of Electric Vehicles & Connected Services for Groupe PSA, Helen Lees discussed the brand’s electrification strategy, the future of the EV sector in the automotive industry and addressed investment and market potential.

Amongst key figures including decision makers, OEMs and government agencies, Groupe PSA shared insight on the progress of the group’s developments in internal combustion engine (ICE), battery electric vehicle (BEV) and plug in hybrid (PHEV) technologies aswell as supplementary electric services and finally the new mobility solutions that will be provided through Free2Move.

Whilst Groupe PSA detailed the extensive planning that has been conducted and illustrated confidence in the strategy and product line up, it acknowledged that no one manufacturer alone could bring about market change. While earlier adopters have been prepared to accept some compromises, in order to appeal to the mass market, there needs to be stronger and more long term consumer incentives, improved infrastructure with improved information on accessibility and a solid consumer understanding of both terminology and total costs of ownership. Through its trade body SMMT, Groupe PSA are working collaboratively with other OEMs and Government on the support packages needed to bring about mass market change.

Committed to social responsibility, Groupe PSA aims to be one of the major European players in electrified mobility. As a result, Groupe PSA’s electrification strategy starts with all models launched from 2019 onwards being made available with a plug in hybrid (PHEV) or battery electric (BEV) derivative, in addition to petrol and diesel combustion engines. This strategy has been devised to give consumers the flexibility to choose their desired model and then the powertrain most relevant to them. By 2025, every model sold by Groupe PSA, both car and LCV, will have an electrified version.

In just two years, 15 new electrified vehicles will be launched across all brands in the Groupe PSA portfolio. These include a variety of passenger cars that are already available to order, new DS 3 CROSSBACK E-TENSE, DS 7 CROSSBACK E-TENSE, all-new Peugeot e-208, 3008 SUV HYBRID4, all-new 508 HYBRID, Vauxhall Corsa-e and Grandland X Hybrid4. These will be joined later in 2020 by all-new Peugeot e-2008 and new Citroën C5 Aircross SUV Hybrid, whilst Groupe PSA will also extend its battery electric (BEV) offering on its award-winning LCV product from 2020 starting with the Citroën Relay and Peugeot Boxer.

The extensive deployment of the Groupe PSA electrification strategy has been made possible thanks to the engineering of Groupe PSA’s CMP and EMP2 platforms that can take both electrified and ICE powertrains. The adaptable nature of the platforms ensures no intrusion in interior space between ICE or electrified vehicles. This flexible approach also allows for ICE and electrified vehicles to be built on the same production lines, making it easier to react to customer demand patterns.

The Automotive EV Conference was held in Coventry from 7 – 8 October with a host of experts and industry leaders coming together to share insights and debate the best strategies to take the EV industry forward.